Formal charge [ENDORSED]

[Sonja Kobayashi 1H]

In order to find the most stable bond, do you make numerous different lewis structures and calculate which have the most bonds with a formal charge of 0?

[Ozhen Atoyan 1F]

Yes you are correct! First, we draw the different resonances of the Lewis structures. Then you take each element separately from the structure and calculate its formal charge. Remember that you need a greater number of the individual elements to have a formal charge of zero. Don't let it confuse you if there are two resonances with both overall charge zero.

[welcometochillis]

Is formal charge indicated by a particular number or just a notiation of + or - ??

[Jessica Nunez 1I]

The formal charge could be indicated by a number, depending on the answer you get from using the formal charge equation, which is V - (L + B/2).

V: # of valence electrons in free atom
L: # of electrons present on bonded atom as lone pairs
B: # of bonding electrons on atoms

Hope this helps!